Applications now open for Greater Manchester Culture Fund

Applications are now open for the Greater Manchester Culture Fund, which will support delivery of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s strategy for Culture and Creativity, Grown in Greater Manchester. Known Around the World.

The Greater Manchester Culture Fund provides funding to cultural organisations committed to providing excellent cultural experiences and opportunities across the ten boroughs in Greater Manchester.

Our rich history and culture have developed Greater Manchester into a global brand that embodies innovation, creativity and social progress. Our international reputation was, and is, built on the creativity of our people, and we must invest in creating the conditions for that creativity to flourish in the future.

Greater Manchester is known around the world for its significant contributions to music, literature, theatre, art, politics and history. We will maintain and further develop our cultural offer to grow this reputation, developing, attracting and retaining the very best creative talent.

We want Greater Manchester to be a place that nurtures the creativity and expression of artists and cultural organisations, reflecting the rich diversity of our people and places and strengthening our standing as a leading centre for culture, regionally, nationally and internationally.

We understand the importance of culture, not as a luxury but as an integral part of community life and of the vibrancy and distinctiveness of our places. Culture has a role to play in addressing some of Greater Manchester’s most pressing issues and in promoting our places to visitors from all over the world, which is why our Culture Strategy reflects, and will support, successful delivery of the Greater Manchester Strategy, which sets out 10 priorities to make Greater Manchester one of the best places in the world to grow up, get on and grow old.

The Greater Manchester Culture Fund has four objectives, each of which maps on to at least one of the priorities in the Greater Manchester Culture Strategy. Applicants should:

• Contribute to the recognition of Greater Manchester locally, nationally and internationally to attract new investment, new visitors and new talent to Greater Manchester;
• Make a positive contribution to improving skills and employability of residents in Greater Manchester, including support for the creative education, expression and ambition of young people across Greater Manchester;
• Play a strong role in developing strong and inclusive communities and an improved quality of life for residents, particularly those residents at risk of disengagement or social isolation;
• Be able to evidence how the project will make a positive contribution to improving residents’ health and well-being.

Councillor David Greenhalgh, Leader of Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Portfolio Lead for Culture, said: “This investment recognises the importance of culture and creativity to the people of Greater Manchester, and the contribution that culture, heritage and creativity make to the distinctiveness and vibrancy of our cities, town centres, high streets and communities.

“We want everyone in Greater Manchester to have the access and the opportunity to express their own creativity; making, participating, contributing to, enjoying and celebrating the distinctive cultural landscape that makes Greater Manchester a great place to live, visit and invest in.”

Alison McKenzie Folan, Chief Executive of Wigan Council, said: “We are rightly proud of our rich cultural heritage and thriving cultural sector. From grass-roots community and heritage groups to internationally significant cultural organisations and cutting edge digital festivals, Greater Manchester has a diverse and distinctive offer. This funding will help us achieve our ambitions to ensure that world-leading arts, culture and creativity reach every corner of Greater Manchester and beyond.”

The Culture Fund opens for applications at 10am on Friday 1 November.

The deadline for submissions is 10am on Friday 29 November.

Find the Application Form here, and Application Guidance here

Applications should be sent to the Greater Manchester Culture Team at cultureteam@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk

Article Published: 04/11/2019 13:38 PM